Paramours of Spring (Youthful Series 4)

09

May

"Pass," I shouted from my other teammate preparing to receive the ball against the opposition.

Nawalan na ako ng focus sa laro namin ngayon. Bruno even noticed how I am scattered around throughout the game. We made it to win the game this time and we're only one step ahead to the regional championship.

There's nothing wrong with myself especially to my physicality. I am healthy and has a complete sleep. But my mind isn't as healthy as my normal condition would. And it's not about the pressure from the game, but it's more on to the pressure from Adi.

Last week, I felt something different about us- no- I assumed that something is more than us.

"Bakit 'di kayo magkasama ni Adi?" sinamahan ko si Mauv ngayon para magbalik ng mga books niya sa library.

Ilang araw ko nang hindi nakakausap si Adi, well, kung tutuosin, ilang araw ko na siyang iniiwasan. I also ignores messages from Vince and avoid them whenever we see each other at the hallway.

Before the recognition day ended, I saw Adi with them. I was standing meters aways from him wearing our uniforms with blue tags that represent our school. And right from that fleeting moment, I knew he saw me too. But we both avoided to stare for too long and parted our ways.

Summer came, and our semis also happened.

Nagpumilit ako kay Mama na kailangan kong bumiyahe kasama ang team para sa gaganaping laro sa kabilang probinsya. "Ilang oras lang naman ang biyahe doon, saka kasama ko sila coach,"

"Anong oras ba matatapos 'yang game niyo?" nakatuon ang kaniyang pansin sa laptop niya.

"Baka gabihin na kami," I wasn't really sure but I know it will take that long.

"Susunduin kita by 9 p.m., ito ang usapan."

Hindi na ako nakatanggi pa. Madaling araw pa lang ay nakapaghanda na ako sa pag-alis. Nagkita kami sa campus at doon kami nagbiyahe gamit ang dalawang school bus. May ibang athletes din kasi kaming kasabay ngayon na maglalaro ng ibang sports.

Sa tuwing naglalaro ako sa mga semis o kahit regional game, dito na talaga ako nakakaramdam ng kaba, pero ngayon, ibang kaba ang nadarama ko. Para bang wala ako sa sarili at kahit ilang ulit kong isipin na nangyayari ang lahat ng ito, para akong bumabalik sa malungkot na pag-iisip na dahilan para hindi ko tapangan ang laro ko ngayon. Alam kong hindi ito dahil sa laro.

During the whole game, I was distracted. We played three times, and the last one that would guarantee us from the regional is where we got defeated.

When we were having our dinner, everyone of us was silent. Our coach keep on cheering us but none of us is actually listening. "Meron pang next year,"

But what if the pressure of not doing our best for one last time will stop us from making it again to the regional? Maybe this is the same thoughts that my other teammates think right now.

Sa pag-uwi namin, naunang umalis ang iba kong teammates kasama ang ibang athlete sa iisang bus. Nasiraan kasi ang isa pang school bus.

"Hindi ka pa uuwi?" nagtatakang tanong ni Riley sa akin. Kagagaling niya lang sa restroom ay bakas sa kaniyang namumulang mata ang lungkot at pagkadismayado niya.

"Hihintayin ko si Mama,"

Niyakap niya ako at hinigpitan ko ito bago sila umalis. Nagpasabi na rin ako kay coach at nagpaiwan na ako sa harap ng campus kung saan walang katao-tao.

I listen to some music while waiting for almost half an hour. Then another hour past before 10 p.m. came. Half an hour later, there was no sign of her.

Kinuha ko ang aking bag at isinuot ito para tumawid na sa kabilang sakayan. Pero bago pa man ako makaalis sa kinauupuan ko ay nagbukas ang main gate.

"Chin?" mula sa binta ng pamilyar na school bus nanggaling ang boses ng tumawag sa akin. Napasulyap ako at napagtantong ito'y si Bruno na nakasakay sa aming school bus na kakaayos lang.

Hindi na ako nag-atubili pang maglakad papalapit dito at sumakay na sa bus bago ito umandar.

"Hindi ka pa pala umuwi?" napatawa kami nang sabay dahil sa pareho naming tanong.

"Hinihintay ko yung susundo sa akin, I guess naging busy na siya," sagot ko kasabay ng pag-iisip na nakalimutan lang talaga ni Mama na sunduin ako. "Kayo?"

"Kakapa-ayos lang nitong bus 'e," napalingon ako sa gawing harapan kung saan kasama ang tatlo pang athlete at isang coach sa ibang sports team. Kami na lang pala ang nandito sa loob.

We stayed silent for the next couple minutes when suddenly he notices that I'm listening to music.

Tinanggal ko ang isang plug ng earphones at in-offer ko sa kaniya.

"Low bat na kasi ako 'e," pagsabi ni Bruno. He curiously look at the earphones first then gladly accepted it.

Then he takes out a bottle of juice drink and gave it to me. We both positioned our chair in a comfortable slate so we can lean on it effortlessly. The street lights flashes from our window and we stare at the cold summer night.

We both fell asleep and woke up when we reached the campus. He also took me back home kindly, and I thank him for that.